National Health Protection Scheme: Modicare different from Obamacare? All you need to know

The scheme will benefit 10 crore Indian families who will be provided Rs 5 lakh cover per family annually for the treatment.

Arun Jaitley&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspTimes Now

New Delhi: In a massive boost for the healthcare sector, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday announced the ‘National Health Protection Scheme’ or the ‘Ayushman Bharat Programme’, under which Rs 5 lakh cover will be provided a year to 10 crore poor and vulnerable people in India.

The new scheme will benefit 10 crore Indian families who will be provided Rs 5 lakh cover per family annually for the treatment. This means each family covered under the new scheme would be entitled to get medical reimbursement for treatment at hospitals up to a maximum of Rs. 5 lakh per year.

The programme, which is being considered as biggest government-funded health protection scheme in the world, would benefit nearly 40 percent of the country's population.

It may be noted that Jaitley had announced the scheme in his 2016 Budget speech, but the proposal is lying with the Union Cabinet since November 2016. It was also repeated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech that same year.

In addition to this, Jaitley announced Rs 1,200 crore for the 1.5 lakh wellness health centres in the country.

He also announced Rs 600 crore for nutritional support of Tuberculosis patients in India. Under the initiative, Rs 500 will be provided to each TB patient undergoing treatment.

National Health Protection Scheme: Modicare different from Obamacare? All you need to knowDescription:The scheme will benefit 10 crore Indian families who will be provided Rs 5 lakh cover per family annually for the treatment.Times Now